Yesterday I received a package stuffed with 32 thank you notes from Mrs Harris-Paschink's Grade 4 & 5 music class at Fairmont Public School.
While the notes were somewhat similar, they each showed the individuality of the students.
All expressed in one way or another their happiness and joy
at being able to participate in the Canada 150 singing of "O Canada," for which they received a $50 prize.

Several of the students wrote that they hoped they would hear back from me.
Therefore, this morning I hand delivered a response thank you note to their school.(
(Given that tomorrow is the last day of school, I wanted to be sure the note arrived in time for them to see it.)

My note was on club letterhead. I am pasting the text of the note below for your interest.

Thank you so much for all that you do for Kiwanis and the Music Festival.

Thank you so much for the lovely package of thank you notes which I received just today. It was a joy to read each and every one of your notes.

I am very happy to hear that your class enjoyed taking part in our Kiwanis Club’s Canada 150 “O Canada” competition. Our club wanted to do something very special for this year of national celebration. We have received strong positive feedback from many other students in addition to yourselves.

Several of you asked if we would be doing something similar next year. This particular competition was planned as a one-time event, but the amazing response may well encourage us to do something just as exciting next year.

Kiwanis Clubs are proud to be an on-going part of the annual Kiwanis Music Festival. I would like to encourage the musicians in your class to think about entering in the many categories of vocal and instrumental music offered each year.

Thank you again for taking the time to prepare your delightful thank you notes. I wish all of you a relaxing and enjoyable summer holiday.

In Kiwanis service,James R. GareyPresident, Kiwanis Club of Forest City-London

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.. Thanks you for your kind and generous donation, it’s much appreciated and will be put to good use.

.. Each year I look forward to the Kiwanis Festival.. I meet new people, learn new pieces, and receive excellent comments from the adjudicators . I love coming to the Stars of the Festival concert as well. So much music! I love playing piano , and I will keep playing throughout my life. Sincerely -

.. It felt so amazing. When I found out that I had just won first place and it was my first time doing Kiwanis. But I know for a fact that I am going to be doing it again. Maybe I will do it juet once more, maybe twice.

.. You are a very kind-hearted person

.. I really appreciate that you gave me 50$

.. Thank you for donating your money, time and effort into this festival .. gave me an opportunity to compose a piece for my school band.
(Canada’s 150th Award - Runner-Up Junior Original Musical Composition)

.. This year, I had the privilege of winning the Intermediate Original Composition class for Canada’s 150 th year as an independent nation. Because of this, I received a 750 dollar prize. I’d like to thank you and the Kiwanis Music Festival for this kind donation to my musical career. The class, and the Festival, played a crucial role in my musical life this year (as they always do!). The composition class in particular has given me extremely valuable experiences which have shaped my composing career. You help young people learn and discover music, and this is invaluable. Thanks! Ben Kubica )

.. Thank you for your very generous donation via the Harriet Kelly Award. Your contribution to the music department here at Central will help to enhance the program. The donation will be put to use for musical pieces such as sheet music, instrument repairs, performance venues, among many others! Sincerely, the staff and students of London Central Secondary School thank you for supporting us here at LCSS, and music in general!

This year, I had the privilege of winning the Intermediate Original Composition class for Canada’s 150 th year as an independent nation. Because of this, I received a 750 dollar prize. I’d like to thank you and the Kiwanis Music Festival for this kind donation to my musical career. The class, and the Festival, played a crucial role in my musical life this year (as they always do!). The composition class in particular has given me extremely valuable experiences which have shaped my composing career. You help young people learn and discover music, and this is invaluable. Thanks! Ben Kubica (FCL Club)

Thank you for your very generous donation via the Harriet Kelly Award. Your contribution to the music department here at Central will help to enhance the program. The donation will be put to use for musical pieces such as sheet music, instrument repairs, performance venues, among many others! Sincerely, the staff and students of London Central Secondary School thank you for supporting us here at LCSS, and music in general!

.. Thank you for the Aussie Carter Jazzman Trophy and the Rose Bowl awards. It has been a wonderful experience performing in the Festival for many years – Patrick Smithers

.. Many thanks for the contribution to the Saunders music programme. We greatly appreciate the time and effort of the Kiwanis club supporting the music students if TVDSB. Sincerely , Mark Enns

Thank you (Kiwanis Forest City-London Club) for sponsoring the award .I will use the money towards my education both musically and academically .. I will always remember and appreciate.

.. This donation has really made working so hard worth it.

.. It is being used to help my tuition to the National Music of Canada. .. It means a lot to me that donors like you give their money to children to enrich their musical talents. I think that the more the you nourish our community, the more the community will give back making a more prosperous London .. not to mention making a child’s day.

This letter is to thank the Kiwanis Club of Forest City-London for donating seven hundred and fifty dollars to the London Kiwanis Music Festival.. My name is Susannah Salamon and I won the Canada 150 composition competition for age 5 to 13. I am twelve years old .. I also study composition ... hope to pursue a career in composition!

.. I am very happy..I was excited because I have never received an awerd before. .. it encourage me to play more and learn more songs. All I wanted to say was thank you very much and I hope you have a love of music just as big as I do.

On behalf of all of the music students at Sir Frederick Banting S.S., I am writing to thank you for the prize money for our Senior Band’s performances and for the Harriet Kelly Participation award....will help us purchase repertoire and equipment .. our students learned a great deal at this year’s festival .. thank you for your continued support of music education
Nigel Evans, Dept.Head, Music, Sir Frederick Banting S.S.
Kristin Darsaut, Director of Choral Music. .. gold awards, C anada’s 150th award, and Oriana Trophy -
Jennifer Emke .. gold award, band

.. As the recipient of the “Canada’s 150” award .from Forest City-London Kiwanis Club .. my sincere gratitude for this recognition ... encourages me and others to continue to pursue our passion in the field of Music. Eesha Sharma

.. We enjoyed our experience at your festival and appreciate the recognition. Many thanks.
Paula Ortelli, Stratford Central Symphonic Band

Thank you so much for the recognition of Pearson School for the Arts. ... Pearson enters many classes in the festival each year because we truly believe in the importance of the arts... as well how it teaches our students not only about diligence and hard work ... and helps to form them into lifelong learners
Brennan Van Pelt, Orchestral Strings Teacher, Pearson School for the Arts.

.. I am ten years old. I have loved piano ever since I was 6. It was amazing at London Kiwanis, and this scholarship made it even better! My adjudicator was so nice and Friendly! I was very happy when I saw this scholarship in the mail! Have a wonderful day! Thank you

On behalf of the Grade 8 and Grade 7 orchestra and Junior/Intermediate choir students of Princess Anne French Immersion Elementary School, we thank you for our award..so pleased to receive $150 in prizes this year from the Festival. Sincerely Mme Walter

.. This was the first year (in a long time) that a choir from Jack Chambers Public School has participated. The students enjoyed it immensely and we look forward to returning in future years. It is wonderful that so many students and musicians are able to benefit from this opportunity. I wish to thank you for your gift of $50 for our school’s choir performance in March. The students were honoured to be recognized with this special award. ... Thanks for all that you do to foster music experiences.
Sincerely, Wendy Inch, Music Teacher, Jack Chambers P.S.

.. We are fortunate to have donations and volunteering made to the festival so that we can continue to offer this amazing opportunity to our students ... to perform, improve and hear what other students are doing at other schools. The students at LDSS benefit from hearing other schools as it makes them realize that they are normal kids, who go to an excellent school... gain confidence and personal satisfaction. The success that students find through their high school musical endeavours inspires them to apply the same work habit to whatever they dedicate themselves to as adults. The Kiwanis festival is a huge part of this experience. Thanks you again for your contribution to learning!
James Calllowhill, London Dorchester Secondary School Music

Once again a HUGE thanks to everyone involved in preparing for the festival every year. We look forward to it and know that thousands of students benefit from this as well. .. We will be putting our award to our band trip to the Canada’s Wonderland music festival again this year.
Sincerely, Rob Inch, Music Teacher Oxbow Public School

Dear Sir/Mam, ....... I am 10 years old. I would like to thank you for the scholarship. It really supports me and makes me want to play at the Kiwanis Music Festival again next year. It has been a great honour to represent London at OMFA. Thank you again for the scholarship and I will be looking forward to play again next year! Sincerely, Vanessa

.. I am writing to thank you for your kind donation/scholarhip to Kiwanis. I hope this shows you how much I appreciate your generosity. Nicole

Thank you for the scholarship. I will continue to work hard. Ishiro

Thank you for supporting the Canada 150th awards. We are honoured to be a part of this event.
Sincerely Kelly Webb & the students of Knollwood Park.

On behalf of the youth and Board Members of El Sistema South London I would l ike to thank you very much for your continued support. Your donation towards music camp scholarships allows 2 of our students to take their love and passion to a whole new level of music.
Thank you again, Carol Browning, Board Member

N O T I C E S

2017 Provincials were held in Hamilton, ON - May 28 to June 3, 2017
Visit www.omfa.info
now takes you to www.omfa.ca - Ontario Music Festivals Association
2017 National Finals - will be held in Ottawa, ON from August 10-12, 2017 - Visit www.fcmf.org
( A great time to go to Ottawa, to also celebrate Canada's 150th birthday!)